Climate Change Protesters Storm Field at Congressional Baseball Game

Several people jumped onto the field at Nationals Park in D.C. Wednesday evening as lawmakers played their annual game. Spectators chanted "U-S-A" as authorities got the situation under control.

Protestors stormed the field at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night during the annual Congressional Baseball Game for Charity. The demonstrators, who were later identified as climate change activists, held signs that said "Stop playing games with our future" and wore shirts that said "End Fossil Fuels."

A group known as Climate Defiance took credit for the display in a tweet, saying, "Update: Eight of us have been arrested for shutting down the Congressional Baseball Game. They are behind bars now. Make no mistake: It's the Members of Congress who should be locked up."

The group also bragged on social media about its mission and delaying the game. "We have taken the field at the Congressional Baseball Game + play has FROZEN! Congress sends billions of public $$ to subsidize deadly fossil fuels — but the police are tackling us instead. This Chevron-sponsored game cannot continue. This is unconscionable," the group wrote.

The U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) promptly arrived and escorted the demonstrators out, and the game resumed. The USCP confirmed eight people were arrested. "We are proud of our officers who are working to keep everyone safe during tonight’s Congressional Baseball Game for Charity. When eight people tried to protest on the field, our officers quickly stopped them and arrested them. The eight people are being charged with federal charges — Interference with a Member of the U.S. Capitol Police," Capitol Police wrote in a statement.

A small group of anti-Israel protesters were also spotted in the crowd. The group unfurled a "Free Palestine" and Palestinian flag in the right field section near the foul post. The group's message was met with boos from others in the stands.

It was not the first time the annual charity game has involved controversy. Over the last several years, the event has drawn more attention after a gunman opened fire on Republicans at a ballpark for practice in 2017.

The Congressional Baseball Game has been held since 1909. Each year, Democrats and Republicans from the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate face off in a friendly game of baseball to raise money for local charities in the D.C. area.

Wednesday's game was no exception, with both teams fielding a roster of elected officials and former players. The Democrats won the game 10-0.

Despite the protest, the game was able to continue and raise money for a good cause. However, the incident is sure to spark a debate about the role of protest in politics and the best way to address the issue of climate change.